Hoshoryu pulled off a spectacular win over fellow ozeki Onosato on Friday, November 22 to stay tied for the lead with Kotozakura with two days left in the Kyushu Basho.
In the day's penultimate bout, Onosato pushed Mongolian Hoshoryu right back to the edge with several ferocious arm thrusts.
But Hoshoryu kept his cool and deployed a perfectly timed arm-bar throw while balancing on the straw ridge to send Onosato toppling off the raised ring.
Hoshoryu, bidding for his second Emperor's Cup and first at the rank of ozeki, improved to 12-1 while Onosato dropped to 8-5.
In the day's final bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, ozeki Kotozakura used an overarm throw to topple sixth-ranked Takanosho (10-3) and stay level with Hoshoryu at 12-1.
The wins by Hoshoryu and Kotozakura mean the two will contest for the Emperor's Cup on the final day on Sunday. Kotozakura has never won a championship.
Gonoyama, Abi Notch 10th Wins at the Kyushu Basho
In other major bouts, eighth-ranked maegashira Gonoyama came in low at the face-off and thrust out sekiwake Kirishima to notch his 10th win against three losses.
Kirishima fell to 6-7 and will need to win his remaining two bouts to secure a winning record.
No 3 maegashira Abi dodged to his side at the face-off and swatted down 16th-ranked Takerufuji to improve to 10-3. March tournament winner Takerufuji fell to 8-5.
Maegashira No 2 Wakatakakage got a right hand on the belt of Onokatsu (8-5) immediately after the face-off and shoved the No 15 maegashira out to move to 9-4.
Komusubi Wakamotoharu made quick work of fourth-ranked Churanoumi (3-10) with a series of powerful arm thrusts to improve to 8-5 and nail down a winning record.
Sumo's Ironman Tamawashi, a No 11 maegashira, wrapped up a winning record for the tournament when he shoved out makuuchi division rookie Asakoryu to improve to 8-5. No 17 maegashira Asakoryu dropped to 5-8.
"I hope I was able to convey my appreciation during today's bout," said Tamawashi, who turned 40 during the tournament. "I don't focus on the record or things like that, I just try to concentrate on each bout."
Takarafuji Secures a Winning Record
No 10 maegashira Takarafuji wrapped up a winning record for the tourney when he thrust down seventh-ranked Endo to move to 8-5.
Endo dropped to 6-7 but could still secure a winning mark with wins on the final two days.
RELATED:
- Hoshoryu Overpowers Shodai at the Kyushu Basho to Stay Tied for the Lead
- Hoshoryu Looks Unstoppable with a Convincing Win Over Kotoshoho at the Kyushu Basho
Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
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